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Clinical psychologist · PhD candidate in clinical psychology (master 2)

Gérald Maes

Clinical psychologist, ACT trainer, Bathysmed practitioner and tobacco cessation specialist. Based in Bastogne, I support individuals, health professionals and organisations in the Province of Luxembourg and neighbouring regions, in Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Contact me Research & publications
PhD candidate in clinical psychology (master 2) Bastogne · Online
Gérald Maes, psychologue clinicien à Bastogne
Professional career

A profile at the crossroads of clinical practice, training and research

After seventeen years in another field, I reoriented towards clinical psychology. I now practise across several complementary structures.

Since 2025
PhD candidate in clinical psychology
Laboratoire LPPC, Université Paris 8
Thesis on the change dynamics of the Bathysmed protocol (ACT + non-ordinary states of consciousness in diving). Supervisor: Antoine Bioy.
Since 2024
Burn-out pathway coordinator — psychological component
FEDRIS (Federal Agency for Occupational Risks)
Coordination and psychological support within professional reintegration pathways following recognised burn-out.
Since 2022
Tobacco cessation specialist
Independent private practice
Individual and group tobacco cessation. FARES/ULB certificate (2021-2022), CHL Luxembourg internship. Corporate awareness interventions.
Since 2020
ACT trainer
act-thérapie.com · Ateliers Hanoï (Lyon)
Since 2020, I co-lead Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) trainings with David Vandenbosch (act-thérapie.com) for psychologists and health professionals, in Belgium and France.
Since 2020
Lecturer — Psychopathology of Work
IED, Université Paris 8 — Master's in Social and Work Psychology
Teaching work psychopathology to Master's students. Content: burn-out, psychosocial risks, organisations, workplace suffering.
Since 2020
Psychologist consultant — Psychosocial risks
CESI (occupational medicine, Woluwé-Saint-Lambert)
SenseCare and One Vitality projects: psychosocial risk assessments, individual support, corporate burn-out training.
2020 – 2024
Clinical psychologist — Stress and Burn-out Clinic
Centre Hospitalier Le Domaine
Clinical management of patients with severe professional exhaustion. ACT therapy, schema therapy, therapeutic groups.
Since 2019
Clinical psychologist
Private practice — Hemroulle 269, 6600 Bastogne
First-line practice. Specialities: burn-out, HPI/ADHD, anxiety, depression, tobacco cessation, sexual identity/orientation. In-person and online consultations.
Academic education

A career grounded in scientific rigour

Trained in communication, clinical psychology and work sciences, I combine complementary approaches in an integrative practice.

Communication & Psychology
1997 – 2002
Master's in Applied Communication
IHECS Bruxelles
2012 – 2016
Bachelor's in psychology
Université Paris 8
2016 – 2019
Master's in clinical psychology
Université Paris 8
Since Sept. 2025
PhD in clinical psychology
Laboratoire LPPC, Université Paris 8
Certifications & specialisations
2021 – 2022
Tobacco cessation certificate
FARES / Université Libre de Bruxelles
2016 – 2017
Local Government Management Certificate
INEMAP
December 2025
PADI Instructor (Open Water Scuba Instructor)
Hurghada, Egypt — Red Sea
December 2025
PADI Speciality Diver Instructor
Hurghada, Egypt
December 2025
Emergency First Response Instructor — PADI
Hurghada, Egypt
Therapeutic approaches

An integrative, evidence-based clinical framework

My interventions are based on third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies and scientifically validated complementary approaches.

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ACT Therapy
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Schema therapy
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Mindfulness / MBCT
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Bathysmed protocol
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Tobacco cessation
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Psychosocial risks
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HPI/ADHD assessment
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Clinical supervision
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Professional training
My approach

What guides my practice

My practice is based on three convictions that run through every consultation, training and supervision.

Science & humanity
I rely on evidence-based practice while placing each person's singularity at the centre of the therapeutic work. Scientific rigour doesn't oppose clinical humanity — it strengthens it.
Commitment & clarity
I am committed to clearly explaining what I do and why. No unnecessary jargon, no mystification. The patient or supervisee is an active partner in their own change.
Integration & innovation
Psychology is not a closed world. I integrate validated complementary approaches — diving (Bathysmed), mindfulness, sophrology — when they open pathways inaccessible to traditional therapy.
Diving & Bathysmed

A passion turned into therapy

Scuba diving is not just a hobby in my life — it is the terrain where clinical work and immersion converge. A PADI-certified instructor since December 2025 in Hurghada (Red Sea), I explore how the non-ordinary states of consciousness accessible in diving amplify the effects of acceptance and commitment therapies.

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Certified PADI Instructor

Open Water Scuba Instructor · Speciality Diver Instructor · Emergency First Response Instructor — Dec. 2025, Hurghada, Red Sea.

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Bathysmed Instructor

Co-development and evaluation of the Bathysmed protocol — ACT + therapeutic diving. Sites: Guadeloupe (Bouillante) and Red Sea (Hurghada).

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Doctoral research

Thesis on the dynamics of change of the Bathysmed protocol (ACT + non-ordinary states of consciousness). Supervisor: Antoine Bioy, LPPC Laboratory, Paris 8 University.

« Laurent's interview coming soon… »

A testimony on the Bathysmed experience, coming soon.

Book an appointment

In-person consultation in Bastogne or online. First evaluation session available promptly.

Contact me Research & publications
In-person & online FR · EN · NL